My clients know that I talk a lot about the Wawa way; it’s a simple holding the door for the person coming in behind you, giving someone the closer parking space, and an always friendly store where there seems to be little judgement about who you are or what you’re buying.

And please don’t reprimand me on my website, there are many stores that have this same environment.  It’s just I have been watching this chain as it has grown in 1964 from one or two stores in Pennsylvania to over 27,000 employees up and down the East Coast.

The person behind me the other day bought my coffee for me.  What!

In this article, I would like to take that simple concept and ask my readers to take it to the next level.  Giving back.  Being Charitable.  Volunteering your time is one of your most valuable assets.

Shonte Jovan Taylor, a neuroscientist at the Optimind Institute requests encouraging yourself, your family, your staff, or even with your clients to volunteer.

Showing humanity and charity actually changes the brain. Being compassionate and selfless allows people to be guided by their higher selves and thus allows us to advance our brain power.

Brain imaging studies have shown that two major changes take place in the brain when we do charitable work.  The positive-emotional brain circuitry, as well as the pleasure and satisfaction centers in the brain, are activated.

Secondly, there is a high activation of gamma brain waves which indicates new brain cell wiring that grows as if stretching the old branches of an ancient tree.

When my children were in high school, they were required to do 100 hours of community service before they could graduate.  It was a wonderful experience for both them and our family.

Now, even a simple act of kindness or charity can make my day.  I am hoping it’s making me smarter or at least giving me more brain cells.

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Tori Goodrich is a life, business and professional; What Should I Do Now coach. She is also the co-owner of Gener8tional Connections helping companies work through the great divide. Visit her on the web at www.victoriagoodrich.com, or reach her via email at tgoodrich@vista.today.

Top photo credit: Parks & Recreation DSC_0228 via photopin (license)